The President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, states that the interests regarding Cyprus neglecting its duties in combatting money-laundering as a member of the European Union were “unjustified”.

He is said to have expressed this belief in a letter to the members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on the 18th of December in response to their letter. 17 MEPs are said to have sent a letter on the 26th October persuading the Cypriot authorities to abandon the island’s cooperation with Russia in an investigation involving the founder of Hermitage Capital, Bill Browder, and instead curb on illicit Russian funds.

The letter detailed that Cyprus was assisting Russia in a politically-motivated case against Bill Browder. The MEPs also asked Cyprus to carry out an investigation into Russian allegedly committing money laundering via banks in Cyprus.

According to sources, Anastasiades states that Cyprus is completely committed to abide by all European Union regulations as well as other international legislation regarding clamping down on money laudering activities.